Tacking machine



A. L. HANSEN TACKING MACHINE July 9, 1940.

Filed Sept. 7, 1939 INVENTOR.

Patented July 9, 1940 UNITED- STATES 2,207,377 TACKING MACHINE Augie L. Hansen, Chicago, Ill., assignor to A. L. Hansen Mfg. 00., Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application September 7, 1939, Serial No. 293,696

3 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in tacking or stapling machines, and more particularly to portable, lever-operated machines of this class.

The principal object of the invention is to provide an improved latch means for holding a hand lever of such machines in partially collapsed position when not in use so as to render the machine more convenient for packing and for carrying in the pocket.

A further object of the invention is to arrange such latch means so that it will be automatically disengaged when the machine is grasped in the hand preparatory for ordinary use.

The invention may best be understood by reference to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a side view of a stapling machine to which my invention has been applied, showing the operating lever in normal raised position ready for operation and with the latch means disengaged.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but showing the operating lever secured in latched position.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail section of the operating lever showing the latch means in locked position, and also indicating in dotted lines the method of disengaging the latch means by pressing the lever.

Fig. 4 is a detail section taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view illustrating one advantage of latching the operating lever and carrying the' machine in the pocket.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing another advantage of locking the operating lever for packing the machine in a box.

Referring now to details of the invention illustrated in the drawing, 10 indicates a tacking or stapling machine of a well known commercial type having a frame I I, a handle [2 forming part of said frame, and an operating lever l3 forming part of a spring-pressed operating linkage indicated generally at Hi, all of the usual form and arrangement for discharging staples and fasteners from the head l5. Details of construction of such machines are well known and need not be described herein excepting as to the parts associated with the handle l2 and operating lever The lever I3 is pivoted on pin It so as to be movable as usual toward the handle against spring tension each time the machine is operated to expel a staple or fastener. A latch member I! is disposed beneath the lever l3 and is pivotally connected at its forward end on a pin l8 which also serves as a pivot pin for the link l9 which forms a part of the operating linkage I l. The latch member I! is formed of a loop of spring wire with two coils 20, 20 formed adjacent the front end of said latch member and surrounding the pivot pin l8 as clearly shown in Fig. 3. The free ends of the coils 2|], 20 extend forwardly into engagement beneath the under surface of the lever I3 50 that the latch member I! is normally urged upwardly against the lever in the position indicated in Fig. 1.

The rear loop portion of the spring latch member is adapted to engage a stop, herein consisting of a slot 2| formed in the upwardly flanged rear portion 22 of the handle I2. Said slot is preferably disposed at an upwardly and rearwardly inclined angle, as shown, and the opening of said slot is arranged so that the rear end of the latch member can be engaged therein when the lever I3 is in fully collapsed position approximately parallel with the base I0, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 3. As will be seen from this figure, the arrangement is such that when the lever is in fully collapsed position, the latch member can be depressed against its spring tension by the finger of the operator so as to slip the end of the d latch member into the slot 2|. Thereupon by releasing pressure on the lever, the latch member will move into the slot 2| and hold the lever in a lowered position, as indicated in full lines in Fig. 3, as well as in Fig. 2. In this position the machine is rendered more compact and convenient, either for carrying in the pocket, as for instance illustrated in Fig. 5, or for packing in a box or container as illustrated in Fig. 6.

Another advantageous feature of my invention is that in order to prepare the machine for use, it is only necessary to grasp it in the hand preparatory to operation in the usual manner, and depress the lever to fully collapsed position, as illustrated by comparison of the full line position and the dotted line position of the handle in Fig. 3. By depressing the lever in this manner the latch means will be automatically released from the slot 2!, and will spring upwardly into telescoped inoperative position beneath the rear end of the lever, as shown in Fig. 1. Thereafter the machine can be used without interference of the latch means until it is desired to secure the latch ,means again in the manner previously described.

Although I have shown and described one particular embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that I do not wish to be limited to the exact construction shown and described, but

that various changes and modifications may be 5 made without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In combination with a tacking machine having a frame member and a spring-pressed operating lever movable toward and away from said frame member, a spring latch member connected to said lever and normally urged toward the latter, and said frame member having means engageable by the free endof said latch member so as to hold said lever in partially depressed position relative to said frame member, but said latch member being releaseable from said means when said lever is further depressed toward said frame member.

2. In combination with a tacking machine having a frame member and a spring-pressed operating lever movable toward and away from said frame member, a spring latch member comprising a rearwardly extending U-shaped spring wire, said frame member having a rearwardly and upwardly opening slot arranged to be engageable by the free end of said latch member so as to hold said lever in partially depressed position relative to said frame member, but said latch member being releasable from said slot when said lever is further depressed toward said frame member.

3. In combination with a tacking machine having a frame member, an operating lever disposed above said frame member, a pivot pin intermediate the ends of said operating lever and a spring-pressed operating link mounted on said pivot pin, a latch member consisting of a looped spring wire, the free ends of which are coiled about said pivot pin on opposite sides of said link and arranged to urge said latch member upwardly toward the underside of said lever, and said frame member having means engageable by the rear end of said latch member so as to hold said lever in partially depressed position relative to said frame member, but said latch member being releasable from said means when said lever is further depressed toward said frame member.

AUGIE L. HANSEN. 

